Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes: Get the Facts

Lani Telian, Department of Public Health

People are quick to give advice to expectant mothers – cut down on caffeine, avoid alcohol, take prenatal vitamins – yet there’s one topic that is often missing from the conversation. Gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy, can cause high blood sugar levels that can threaten the health of your unborn baby. According to the American Diabetes Association, this condition affects about 135,000 pregnant women in the U.S. each year.

But there's good news. You can manage gestational diabetes by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly and, if necessary, taking medication. Taking good care of yourself can help ensure a healthy pregnancy for you and a healthy start for your baby.

Women with a history of gestational diabetes have a much higher risk of developing diabetes during the 5 to 10 years after they deliver. If you had gestational diabetes, it is important to be tested 6 to 12 weeks after the baby is born, and at least every 3 years after that. Women may be able to prevent getting gestational or type 2 diabetes in the future by reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, and getting regular physical activity.

Mothers aren’t the only ones affected by this condition. Children of women with a history of gestational diabetes are at greater risk for obesity, which puts them at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Women with a history of gestational diabetes can help their entire family stay at a healthy weight by providing healthy meals and snacks, and encouragingtheir families to be physically active.

Remember, if you had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant, you have a lifelong risk for getting diabetes. Be sure to talk to your doctor about preventing diabetes, getting tested, and how you and your child can have a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about eating better and moving more check out Mass in Motion; visit the Tips for Parents page.

The latest weekly flu report shows that rates of flu-like illness declined over the past seven days. Flu can be unpredictable – but one thing we know for sure is that flu season is definitely here. The good news is that there is still time to …Continue Reading Weekly Flu Report, December 8, 2017

For many people, the winter holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and connection with loved ones. There is an expectation – from society, the media and those around us – of constant cheer around the holidays. For many people, though, that’s not their reality. …Continue Reading The Holidays Can Be Hard: Ideas That Can Help

The latest weekly flu report shows that rates of flu-like illness declined over the past seven days. Flu can be unpredictable – but one thing we know for sure is that flu season is definitely here. The good news is that there is still time to …Continue Reading Weekly Flu Report, December 8, 2017

For many people, the winter holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and connection with loved ones. There is an expectation – from society, the media and those around us – of constant cheer around the holidays. For many people, though, that’s not their reality. …Continue Reading The Holidays Can Be Hard: Ideas That Can Help